Apparatus and system for the continuous production of hogsheads and the like



Aug. 27, 1963 H. G. BELL ETAL 3,101,479 APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR THECONTINUOUS PRODUCTION OP HOGsHEADs AND TRE LIRE Filed June l, 1956 3Sheets-Sheet 1 wa/Tam ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 27, 1963 H G. BELL ETAL APPARATUS AND SYSTEM F'OR THE CONTINUOUSPRODUCTION Filed June l, 1956 OF HOGSHEADS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2L 1116.14. L//f lBY Aug. 27, 1963 G. BELL ETAL 3,101,479 APPARATUS ANDSYSTEM FOR THE CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION oF HoGsHEADs AND THE LIKE 3Sheets-Shes?I 5 Filed June l, 1956 INVENTOR. HARRv -GurHR/E BELL, JAcosDpi/GLAS GAY AND BY KEITH GILMoRe SHAFFER, M Mib., ,ALLAN Y 6R17irToRNEYs.

APPARATUS ANI) SYSTEM EUR THE CN'IINU- EIIIQSEPRODUCTHON F HOGSHEADS ANDTHE Harry Guthrie Bell, Jacob Douglas Gay, Jr., and Keith Gilmore Shaer,Paris, Ky.assignors to Gay-Bell Corporation, I'aris, Ky., a corporationof Kentucky Filed .lune 1, 1956, Ser. No. 588,726

2 Claims. (Cl. 1 125) This application is closely related to ourco-pending application filed November 1, 1955, bearing Serial No.544,258, 4and entitled Apparatus and Method for the ContinuousProduction of Hogsheads and the Like. The instant invention resides inimproved apparatus and systems for producing these articles.

An important object of our invention is to provide an arrangement inwhich hogshead panels are moved in step by step fashion so that eachpanel is stopped during actual actuation of the stapling mechanism orother means used for securing the metal hoops and hoops-and-liners tothe Wood .panel sections. p

A further object of our invention is to provideian arrangement includinga plurality of panel stapling means, a saw station for each such panelstapling means and common means for receiving the finished panels fromeach of the saw stations.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following description and withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which drawings like numeralsare employed to designate like parts and in which:

FIGURE l is a plan View, with parts broken away, showing the means formoving hogshead panels and stapling the hoops and hoops-and-linersthereto,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged section taken on the line 2 2 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is an 3 3- of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is an 4 4 of FIGURE l,

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the general wiring arrangementand control means for the modication of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged section on the line 6 6 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 7 is a section on the line 7 7 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a system .for receiving hogsheadpanels from a pair of sawing sta-v tions and moving them alternately sothat they might be handled from a single station,

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged section taken on the line 9 9 of FIGURE 8,

FIGURE l0 is a section taken on the line 10, 10 of FIGURE 8, n

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary plan view of means for receiving the panelsfrom the saw tables,

FIGURE 12 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 11,

FIGURE 13 is a perspective and diagrammatic View of means for receivingthe panels from a pair of saw stations and :accumulating them on acommon conveyor,

FIGURE 14 is a diagrammatic View showing the control arrangement Vforthe general means by which panels are taken from a pair of saw tablesand accumulated at a single station alternately, and

FIGURE 15 is 1a side view, with parts broken away, showing an exemplarysaw table employed in the apparatus. y

In the description to lfollow it will be understood that we have shownour invention as applied to the handling of hogsheads `but that theinvention is capable of handling enlarged section taken on lthe lineenlarged section taken on the line fireV 2 many other-suitable articles.The hogshead section which thesapparatus of this invention will handlecomprises one or more pieces of plywood having a hoop-and-liner tempo--rarily secured along opposite edges of the section. A pair of hoopswill be temporarily secured to the section between and parallel to thehoops-and-liners. In FIGURE l the hogshead sectionV or panel isindicated at 20, the hoops-and-liners at 21 and the hoops at 22.

The plywood piece or pieces, as the casey may be, with thehoops-and-liners 2,1 `and hoops 22 temporarily sef cured thereto will beplacedby means not shown within a feed mechanism comprised of'aplurality of upstanding members '23. The :frame members 23 are arnangedwith other mechanism so'as to hold a stack of hori- Zontally disposedpanels 2@ just above the conveyor means for moving the llowerrnost panelfrom beneath those `remaining in the stack. One by one panels will dropfrom the `stack toa position on such conveyor means. f

This arrangement is shown in detail in our copending application anddoes not' constitute a principal part .ofthe instant invention. Suice itto say that the members 23 generally stand for a feed mechanism capableof mainlinesofcut at right angles to the hoops and hoops-'andliners.These lines of cut define the staves of the hogshead. From the `sa-wingstation the panels will bereiceive-d by a common means which will directsuch panels to a place of discharge. A linished hogshead may then beobtained simply lby manipulating the panel 2li to form a cylinder, theends of the hoops-and-liners `21 :and hoops 22 being provided with latchor catch means by ywhichy the panel may be maintained in cylindricalform. A hogshead bottom may then be inserted and the hogshead iilledwith tobacco or other similar products after which the hogshead headmaybe put in place :and the product will thus be lpackaged and ready forshipping purposes.

Referring now to `FIGURES 1 through 7 there is shown an arrangement jbyywhich hogshead panels ory the like are moved from feed mechanismgenerally indicated by the frame members 23. One of the chiefdifferences incorporated in this arrangement, :as distinguished :fromthat of our aforementioned co-pending application, is that the panelsare moved in vstep by step fashion so that the panel is `stopped duringactual actuation of the stapling lmechanism. This arrangement is morepositive in action in that the staplin-g mechanism does'not have to doanything more thanjust set the staple,.that is, it does not have torestrain movement of the panel since the panel has already been broughtto a stop. At the same time the panel is actually moved more quicklyfrom the feed mechanism to the means by which it isbrought to the sawingtable. y

r The panels 20\ will be let down from the stack members 23 by the feedmechanism and controls heretofore mentioned, These panels will come toreston support members 50. If desired a plate could be used rather thanthe pair of elongated bars 50 so long as a channel were provided for thereciprocating pusher bar to be described below.

The just mentioned pusher bar comprises a pair of vertical Vplates S1which are held in spaced relationship by a plurality of shoulderedbolts52. 'There is a pusher member 53 mounted for swinging movement oneach of the shouldered bolts 52, ysuch members 53` being between theplates 5l.. There are pins 514 located between the members 5-1 so asnormally to maintain the swinging members 5'3l in the position indicatedat 53a in FIGURE 2 at the left-hand endy thereof, the members 53 tendingby gravity towards a vertical position. These pins 54 are so located asto permit a fair amount of clockwise movement from the positionindicated at 53a but so as to resist any counterclockwise movement fromsuch position, such pins interrupting the gravity influenced effort ofthe members 53 to reach a vertical position.

At each end of the vertical plates 5l, as best shown kin FIGURES 2 and7, there are depending extensions 55.

A plate 56 is bolted to the lower edge of the extensions 55. A U-shapedbearing block 57 is suitably mounted on a member l58 xed to a bracketlS9 extending from the framework of the mechanism. T he plate 56 restson the bottom of the block 57 while the plate extensions 55 are receivedbetween the upstanding legs of the U-shaped block 57. The arrangementjust described is repeated at each end of the pusher mechanism. In thismanner the pusher mechanism is supported between the support bars 50 forreciprocation.

Whena panel is permitted to drop from the feed stack members 23 onto thesupport bars 50 it will engage a plurality of the swinging pushermembers 53. These members will' each be forced to the position indicatedat l53h in FIGURE 2. Those members 53 not contacted by a panel 20 willremain in the upstanding position indicated at 53a in this FIGURE 2.Upon forward movement of the pusher bar as defined by the plates 5l,such movement being to the right as viewed inFIGURE 2, it will beapparent that a iinger 53a will engage the rear or left hand edge of thepanel 2t? whereupon to move such panel With the pusher bar. When suchpusher bar is next moved to the left as viewed in FIGURE 2 one of themembers 53 will be moved out of contact with the panel 2h whereupon itwill swing by gravity to a position as represented by the member 53a sothat upon movement of the pusher bar 51 again to the right this justreleased member 53a will contact the panel `20.. It will thus beapparent that the panel 20 is moved to the right along with similarmovement of the pusher bar 5l but that upon movement of the pusher bar5l to the left the panel 20 will remain stationary. Additional means toinsure this are provided and will be described below. n

y In order to insure that return movement of the pusher bar57 will notbring with it a panel 20 due to its contact with a plurality of themembers 53, a pair of large rubber tired Wheels y60 is provided at apair of stations. Each pair of wheels 60' is mounted on a common shaft6l. 'Ilhe'wheels 60 are arranged so that they may rotate in thedirection of forward movement of the pusher bar 51 but not in the returnmovement thereof. This is accomplis-hed by conventional means comprisinga hub 62 a cam plate `63 pinned 4to the shaft 61 and a plurality ofbearing members 64. It will be apparent from FIGURE 6 that the wheel 60may rotate in the direction of the arrow since the members 64 will moveto a place of clearance with respect tothe cam member 63. Reversemovement of the wheel 60, however, is not possible since the members 64would then wedge between the hub 6,2 and cam 63.

To each end of the shaft 61 there is pinned a rectangular block 65. Eachof these blocks is free to move vertically in bracket members 66. Thisarrangement permitsj the shaft 61 and wheels 60' to move vertically soas to allow for variations in the panel thicknesses which passtherebeneat-h. The weight of the wheels 60 is suiiicient to givenecessary hold-down pressure.

Additional means for insuring that the panels Ztl will not move backupon return movement of the pusher bar 51 are also providedvandespecially designed to contact the [forward part of the panel 20right after its initial movement. Such meansco'mprise a plurality offingers 67 mounted on a shaft 68 extending across the machine iframe.The ends of these `fingers may have some kind of friction materialmounted thereon. It will be apparent that as the panel 2@ contacts theseiingers upon yfor-ward movement of the pusher bar 5l the fingers arefree to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, When, however, thepusher bar 5l returns the engagement of the :friction surfaces 69 willprevent corresponding movement of the panel 2d as might otherwise occurdue to the "frictional contact between such panel and the plurality ofmembers 53. After a few movements of the panel 20 it will then beengaged beneath the wheels 6G and the bulk of the anti-slip functionwill be accomplished by these wheels. The arrangement of the fingers 67is desirable since it is diiiicult to get the large wheels 60l closeenough to the panels 2,0 to be sure that such panels will be engagedupon initial movement as caused by reciprocation of the pusher bar 5l.

i The means for reciprocating the pusher bar 5l will now be described.As perhaps best seen in FIGURES 1 and 2 there is a motor 70y mounted ona suitable support beneath the bars 50; A pulley belt l1 extends fromthe motor y'tl and engages a member 72 comprising a part of a speedreduction unit 73. Another belt 74 extends :from the speed reducing unit73 and engages a sprocket 77 iixed on a shaft 78. A disc 75, to whichthere is pivotally iixed a pitman arm 76, is fixed on the shaft 7S. Theother end Y of the member 76 is pivotally connected to a dependingbracket fixed to the pusher bar mechanism 5'1 as indicated at 79. Itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that rotation ofthe disc 75will cause, through the pitman connection 76, reciprocation of thepusher bar mechanism 51. There is a pair of cam wheels mounted on theshaft T78, one such wheel having a cam surface 8d and the other a camsurface 3l. These cam surfaces are arranged to contact periodicallyswitches 32 and 83 respectively as will be described below.

In the arrangement of this invention the stapling heads 24 are actuatedonly when the panel Ztl is at rest, or in other words, only during thereturn movement of the pusher bar mechanism 51. Should for some reason amember 53 not engage properly behind a panel 20 so that upon nextforward movement of the mechanism 5l such panel was not moved, it isdesirable that the stapling mechanism not be actuated again so as todrive one staple upon a previously driven staple since this will causedamage to the stapling mechanism. Accordingly means are provided so thatthe stapling heads 24 cannot be actuated unless there has beeninterventing movement of a panel 269. One of the cam surfaces just abovedescribed controls this as will be further described shortly.

The control circuit for the stapling heads 24 includes a pair ofswitches S4 and 85 which must be actuated before the stapling heads 24will operate. These switches 84 land 85 are actuated simply by theweight of the panel 2d as it moves along the support bars 50. The switchSd prevents any operation `of the first pair of stapling heads 2d untilsuch time as the panel 20 is brought into proper position. The switch 85prevents operation of the second pair `of stapling iheads 24 until thepanel has moved su'iciently to come therebeneath. It will be observedlas before that the ii-rst pair of stapling heads 24 serves to fastenthe hoops 22 to the panel 20` while the second pair of heads 2.4 serves-to fasten the hoopsand-liners 2l to the panel 20.

The means for preventing the stapling heads from driv- -ing one staple`on top of another should a panel 20 not be moved by the pushermechanism 51 includes a pair of lswitches S6 Iand 87 inthe controlcircuit. A drag shoe SS is provided for the rst pair of stapling heads24 and switch S6 while a similar drag shoe S9 is provided for the secondpair of stapling heads 24 and switch 87. The construction of such dragshoe is perhaps best shown in FIGURE 3.

As shown in FIGURE 3 the drag shoe 88, for example, is really a solenoidhaving a ixed bar and a movable sleeve 91. The bar 90 is fixed on asuitable frame member 92 mounted in the machinery. Fixed to the movablesleeve 91 is a member 93 having a pair of slidable studs 94. A spring 9Ssurrounds each stud 94 4and is located between the bottom of the member93 and the shoe member 96. The bottom of the shoe member 96 may have afriction material 97 fastened thereto.

If a panel 20 is properly engaged by a swinging pusher member 53 forwardmovement of the pusher bar mechanism 51 will result in the shoe 88, forexample, being moved so `as to engage the switch 86, see the dotted lineportion of FIGURE 3. Such movement of the shoe 88 will loccur because ofthe frictional engagement of fthe shoe carried substance 97 with thepanel 20 and the light resilient action of the springs 95. When the shoe88 engages the switch 86 Iactuation of the stapling heads is possible.If the shoe 88 does not contact the switch 86 the stapling heads may notbe actuated.

The general operation of the shoe mechanism and conltrol circuit is suchthat after the shoe 88 has been moved into `contact with the switch 86,the first pair of stapling heads 24 is actuated when the cam surface 80contacts the switch 82. Immediately :after this the cam surface 81 willactuate .the switch 83. Closing of the switch 83 actuates the solenoid90-91 so that the shoe 88, for example is returned to 4the position ofthe solid lines in FIGURE 3, in other words its contact with the switch86 is broken. It will thus be -obvious that for the stapling heads 24 tobe actuated again the panel 20 will have to move yand take with it theshoe 88. If for some reason the panel 20 does not move the shoe 88 wi-llnot move and the switch 86 will not be closed with the result that thestapling heads Wont be actuated in the same place twice.

Referring now to FIGURE 5 the control circuit heretofore mentioned willbe described. It will be understood that the circuit includes asatisfactory source of electric power as generally indicated at 98. Forthe purposes of this ydescription it will also be understood that apanel 20 has been moved into such position that it contacts the switches84 `and 85. It will 'also be understood .that the drag shoes 88 and 89have been brought into contact with switches 86 and 87 respectively. Asthe shaft 78 is rotated by the motor 70 through the speed reduction unit73 not only lthe disc 75 `and pitman 76 will be `actuated to reciprocatethe pusher bar mechanism 51 but also the cam wheels bearing the ca msurfaces 80 `and 81 will be rotated.

When the cam surface 80 closes the switch 82 the rst pair of staplingheads 24 will be actuated since the switch 84 is closed by weight of thepanel 20 and since the switch 86 is closed by contact with the 'dragshoe 88. Immediately 'after this the cam surface 81, due to its positionon the shaft 78 wil-l close the switch 83 thus energizing the solenoidfor the drag shoe 88. Upon this solenoid being so actuated the drag shoe88 will be withdrawn from contact with the shoe 86.

In similar manner `and while the foregoing was happening the second pairof stapl-ing heads 24 will also have been actuated upon closing of theswitch 82 since the switch 85 -is closed by weight of the panel 20 andthe switch 87 closed by contact with the drag shoe 89. Again, uponcontact of the cam surface 81 with the switch 83 the solenoid for thedrag shoe 89 will be actuated so that this shoe is also withdrawn fromContact with the switch S7.

Continued rotation of the shaft 78 will cause the pusher mechanism 51,through the pitman 76, to return or move to the left as viewed in FIGURE2. Still 4further rotation of the shaft 78 will cause the pushermechanism 51 to move forward or to the right as viewed in FIGURE 2. llfla member 53 has engaged properly behind the panel. 20 such panel willbe moved forward a given increment. This movement of the panel willagain cause the drags 88 and 89 to contact the switches 86 and 87 sothat fur-ther contact between the cam surfaces 80 Iand 82 :and the camsurfaces 81 and 83 will repeat the movements above described. On theother hand, should for some reason or other the member '53 not engagebehind the panel 28 so that the panel 20` does not move'forward uponforward movement of the pusher bar mechanism 51, the stapling heads 24will not be `actuated again since the drag'shoes 88 and 89 will'not havebeen moved into contact with the switches 86 and 87 respectively. Inthis manner it is insured that the stapling heads 24 will not endeavorto drive one staple upon 'another thus avoiding damage.

In FIGURE 8 there is shown `an arrangement for taking panels 20 .afterthey leave a saw station. In the arrangement of FIGURE 8 it iscontemplated that there will be a pair of saw stations. The purpose ofthe mechanism of FIGURE 8 lis to receive panels from either or both ofthe saw stations and bring them to a common exit point.

In FIGURE 8 the conveyor chains for moving the panels 20 through the sawstations are indicated at 161. Each of these saw stations will beunderstood to be like that shown :and described in detail in ourcodpending yapplication Serial No. 544,258. To this lend there will bemeans for rotating saw blades which will cut through the plywood piecesof the panel. Additional means will be provided to raise the panel 20Ias the hoops-and-liners 'and hoops successively pass over the sawblades so that lines of cut are placed clear through the plywood piecesbetween the met-al bands comprising the hoops-and-liners and hoops whilesuch pieces will be grooved only in the wood area beneath such bands.

A saw station is indicated in FIGURE l5. A saw blade is designated at284 and may be driven by a motor 288. The panels 20 are supported on atable 279. 0am members 294 are fixed on shafts 292 which may be drivenby a motor 297 through suitable gearing as diagrammatically illustrated.Cam projections 295 form a part of the cam members 294. The table 279has brackets 289 carrying rollers 290 which .are arranged by the cammeans 294- 295. By this arrangement the table, `and panel carriedthereon, may be raised and lowered as required for grooving and cuttingthe panels in the manner just indicated.

A shaft 203 is also illustrated. In the arrangement of FIGURE 8 theshaft 203 'is extended so as to receive a sprocket 99 about which thereis placed a lbelt 100. This belt 100 also engages a sprocket 101 on ashaft 102. A plurality of belts 103 are driven by the shaft 102. Whenthe conveyor chains 161 bring a panel 20 over the shaft 203 from therespective saw stations the belts 103 as driven by the shaft 101 willcontinue the movement of such panel. This panel will be moved alongsupport members 104 provided at either side of the mechanism. Thesemembers 104 are shown at the upper part of the FIGURE 8. Correspondingmembers are provided for the additional mechanism bringing the panel 20as moved by other belts 103. As best seen in FIGURE l0 the members 104'and 105 are at different levels.

At the end of the members 104 there is provided a pair of limit membersand switches 106. Similar limit members and switches 107 are providedlat the ends of thel members 165. One set of belts 103 will move yapanel 20 along the members 104 until such panel contacts both of theswitches 106, which switches will prevent further movement in thisdirection. The other set of belts 103 will move a similar panel yfromanother saw station -along the members 105 until such other panelstrikes the switches 107 whereby its `further movement in this directionis prevented. When these panels have been so moved one will lie -abovethe other as shown in FIGURE l0. As also shown in FIGURE 10 the member104 is bent downwardly near its switch bearing end as indicated at 104ewhile the member 105 is similarly constructed as shown at 105a. 'Iheportions 104:1 yand 105a are less than the width of the panel 20 so thatsuch panel when brought against its limit switch will bridge these bentportions of the support members 104 and 105 respectively. The purpose ofthis construction will be explained shortly.

Located at one side and centrally of the mechanism represented by thesets of belts 103 is an elongated cylinder 108 which receives pressurefrom a source, not shown, through the lconduit 109 and valve 110. Withinthe cylinder 108 is a piston having a rod 111 extending from thecylinder and to which there is xed a pusher shoe 112. As perhaps bestseen in FIGURES 9 and 14 it will be understood that there are `a pair ofthese cylinders 108 and related mechanism, one above the other.

The arrangement of the mechanism is such that when panels 20 are ontheir respective supports 104 and 105' the pistons within fthe cylinders10S will be :actuated alternately so as to push one panel and then theother from the supports onto the receiving station generally indicatedat 113. It will be apparent that the purpose of .the portions 104a and105e is to permit the pusher shoes 112 to engage a panel and move itlaterally from the supports 104 and 105.

The arrangement of the mechanism' is such that the cylinders `and theirrelated mechanism generally indicated at 108 cannot be actuatedsimultaneously. This arrangement is perhaps best seen in FIGURE 14. Eachof the valves 110 is controlled by a solenoid 114. The solenoid 114 forthe upper cylinder 108 is in a circuit including the switches 106mounted on the ends of the support members 104. The solenoid 114 for thelower cylinder 10S is in a circuit which includes the switches 107mounted on the ends of the support members 105. Both circuits include asuitable and common source of electricity as indicated at 115.

There is ya switch 116 for the upper cylinder 100 `and there is aContact member 117 on the upper piston rod 111 for engaging this switch.A similar switch 118 is provided for the lower cylinder 108 and asimilar `contact member 119 is carried on the lower piston 111. Thenormal positions of the valves 110 at such times that the solenoids 114are not actuated are such that pressure from the conduits 109 is led tothe right hand ends of the cylinders 108 as observed in FIGURE 14. Thiswill cause the lpistons to be at their left hand positions in thecylinders 108 with the result that the switches 116 'and 113 will beclosed by contact with the members 117 and 119 respectively. in additionto the switches mentioned there is also a switch 120 in the circuitincluding the switches 106 and a switch 121 in the circuit including theswitches 107.

When `a panel 20 is moved by the upper set of belts 103 until it liesagainst the switches 106 at the ends of the support members 104 theseswitches 106 wil thereby be closed. Upon closing of both of the switches106 there will be a circuit completed through the upper solenoid 114provided the piston rod 111 yfor the lower cylinder is in its left handposition so that the member 119' will be maintaining the switch 118closed. Actuation of the upper solenoid 114 in the manner just describedresults in the valve 110 being turned so as to direct iluid pressureinto the left hand end of upper cylinder 103 so as to drive the pistonrod 111 and pusher shoe 112 to the right as viewed in FIGURE 14. As thepusher shoe 112 so moves the member 117 will permit the switch 116 toopen. 'Iihe switch 116 is in a `circuit includingy the lower solenoid114. Thus, so long las the piston rod 111 is in -any position other thanthat where the member 117 contacts the switch 116 it is impossible todrive the lower pusher shoe 112 to enygage a panel 20 since it will beimpossible to actuate the lower solenoid 114 with the upper switch 116open.

Continued movement to the right of the upper pusher 112 will bring themember 117 into contact with the switch 120. By this time the panel 20will have been shoved to the receiving station indicated at 113. In thisconnection it will be understood that a holding circuit is provided lforthe switches 106 so that both switches will remain closed until thepanel 20 has been moved to the station 113 and the switch 120' opened bycontact with the member 117. Upon this switch 120 thus being opened thecircuit through the upper solenoid 114 will be broken whereupon thevalve 110y will return under spring pressure to its normal position. Inits normal position uid pressure will be directed into the right handend of the cylinder 103 with the result that the piston rod 111 andpusher shoe 112 will return to its home position wherein the member 117closes the switch 116. As the pusher shoe 112 starts its return theswitches 120 will -again close under spring pressure but by this timethe switches 106 Will be open so that the solenoid 114 is not againactuated until another panel strikes the switches 105.

With the upper pusher 112 now in the position as indicated in full linesin FIGURE 14 it will be apparent that should a panel 20 be brought bythe lower set of belts 103 to a position such that this panel will closethe switches 107 located on the ends of the lower support bars 105, thelower cylinder mechanism 10S will be actuated to push the panel to thereceiving area 113. When the switches 107 are closed by a panel 20 thelower solenoid 114 will be actuated provided the switch 116 is closed.Again this arrangement prevents simultaneous actuation of the pair ofcylinders 110. Closing of the circuit including the lower solenoid 114will move the valve 110 so 'as to admit iiuid within the lower cylinder10S to push the pusher shoe to the right as viewed in FIGURE 14. When somoved the member 119 will come out of engagement with the switch 118thus opening the solenoid circuit for the upper cylinder 108 whereby toprevent the simultaneous `actuation of these cylinder members `as justmentioned. Continued movement of the pusher shoe 112 will result in thelower panel 20 being moved to the receiving station 113 whereupon themember 119 will open the switch 121 thus breaking the circuit throughthe lower solenoid 1141 so that the valve 110 will return to its normalposition as shown and the pusher shoe 112 be brought back to itsstarting position wherein the member 119 closes the switch 118.

There is provided for each of the cylinder arrangements a mechanismillustrated by the conduit 122,

check valve 123 and needle valve 124. This mechanism provides for arelatively slow return of the pusher shoe 112 so as to give sucient timeyfor additional panels 20 to be brought into position. The speed ofreturn may be regulated by adjustment of the needle valve 124. Althoughthe arrangement described illustrates 1a relatively fast movement of thepusher shoe against a panel 20 with a relatively slow return it Wiil beapparent that this could be reversed vso as to produce a 'slow push witha rast return.

As shown in FIGURES 8, 11 and l2 the receiving station 113 may comprisea pair of support bars 125 on which the panels 20 are shoved by thepusher mechanism 112. These bars are illustrated as pivoted to a shaft120 mounted in brackets 127 extending from the machine. The other endsof such bars `are connected to la shaft 120 mounted in a pair ofvertically slidable members 129 acting in sockets 130. A set of barsAand shafts 125 rs provided for the upper and lower panel receivingmechanisms. With this arrangement operators may sirnply remove thepanels 20 as they are received on the upper and lower sets yof supportbars 125. In order to prevent the panel 20 from moving back upon returnof the pusher shoes 112 stripper mechanism 131 is provided. A pluralityor these pivoted igures 131 will permit movement of the panel to theright as viewed in FIGURE 9 but not to the left as is understood in theart.

The receiving station 113 may, instead of the bars 125, comprise anendless conveyor 132. In this arrangement it will be obvious that thepanels 20 are simply received alternately as pushed by the variousmembers 112. The conveyor may take these panels to any desired position.This yarrangement is shown in FIGURE 13.

Although the mechanism has been described for alternately pushing panelsfrom the upper members 104 and the lower members it will be apparentthat the mecha- 106 and 107. Thus successive periodic actuation ofeither the switches 106 or 107 is possible although it is contemplatedthat lirst the switch 106 and then the switch 107 will be actuated.

Operation From the foregoing it will be observed that the apparratus andsystem we have provided enables hogsheads and the like to be assembledin a continuous manner. Stacks of hogsheads 20 with thehoops-:and-liners 21 and hoops 22 temporarily fastened in place Iaretrom time to time placed Within the initial -receiving means .generallyindicated and dened by the plurality of frame members 23 as shown inFIGURES 1 and 2. As earlier explained the hogsheads of such 1a stack:are so maintained by these members 23 that periodically the lowerrnostpanel of the stack will be dropped onto the conveyor means for movingsuch panel through the mechanism for permanently securing thehoops-and-liners and hoops to the plywood pieces. The means forperiodically dropping a panel 2t) onto the members 53 carried on theIbar 51 is shown and `described in detail in our aforementionedco-pending application Serial N-o. 544,258.

As the lbar 51 is reciprocated the members 53 will engage behind a panel20 and move it step by step beneath the stapling heads 24 which areactuated during the rest periods in the movement of the panel and thehoops-andliners and hoops thereby permanently secured. Various hold-downmeans are employed to insure positive and correct operation. In additionthe means 60 and 69 prevent rearward movement of the panel 20 uponreturn reciprocation of the bar 51 and members 53.

After the hogshead panel leaves the stapl-ing head it is moved into aposition to 'be engaged by the rake 152 on the end off the rod 151whereby the panel may be moved at right angles to its initial path ottravel. 'Ilhe rake and rod just mentioned are actuated in the mannershown in detail in the aforementioned co-pending application.

The reciprocating rake 152 will move the panel Z0 onto the conveyorchains 161 which will lead the panel through the saw station. As aboveexplained and as shown and described in detail in our said co-pendingapplication, the saw station is so arranged as to cut through the panelin the area between the metal bands :deli-ning the hoops` and-liners andhoops while just lgrooving the panel in the wood a-reas immediately-beneath the bands.

Assuming a pair of initial receiving, sta-pling, cross conveyor `and sawmeans, the panels are then Ialternately led from the respective sawmeans toa common receiving means as shown and described in detail inconnection with FIGURE 8. In this manner a succession of completedhogshead panels may be brought to the iinal receiving meansl 1x13.

VIt will be understood that although we have described our invention asembodied in certain specilic structures, it is realized that changes may:be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention.It will he further understood that the specific structures shown areexemplary only and- 'We do -not intendto be limited to such structuresexcept insofar las they are specifically set iorth in the subjoinedclaims.

Having thus described Iour invention, whatwe claim as 10 new and what wedesire to protect by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A system for assembling hogsheads which comprises: a lirst 'feedingstation, a rlrst stapling section rfor staplin-g the hoops andhoops-and-liners to the hogshead panels, Airst conveyor means to movepanels firom said lirst feeding station through said -irst staplingsection, lirst saw means to form staves in said panels, and `iirstadditional means to receive panels Ifromsaid conveyor means and conveythem through sai-d iirst saw means; a second feeding station, a secondstapling section rior stapling hoops and hoopsJand-liners to otherhogshead panels, second conveyor means to move said other panels fromsaid second lfeeding station through said second stapling section,second saw means to itorm staves in said other panels, and secondadditional means to receive said other panels from said second conveyormeans and convey them through said second saw means; upper support meansto receive panels from said lirst saw means, lower support means toreceive 4said other panels from said second saw means, said supportmeans being positioned one above the other, a receiving station commonto lboth support means, and means to push the panels from said supportmeans one by one 'onto said receiving station; said pus-h meanscomprising a pair of elongated cylinders, a piston rod reciprocable ineach said cylinder, valve means lfor each said cylinder whereby todirect fluid pressure to either end thereof, a shoe on each said rod,said upper and lower support means having depressed lareas to permitsaid shoes to pass over whereby to engage panels supported on theundepr-essed portions of said support means; and a control circuitincluding each ot said valve mean-s and so arranged that the 'valvemeans can-not Ibe manipulated to cause simultaneous pushing movement ofsaid shoes.

2. The system or claim 1 in which said control circuit includes asolenoid for each of said valve means, each of said valve means normallydirecting -uid into its cylinder so as to maintain its said shoe innondpush position, first switch means for each said cylinder, each saidrst switch means lbeing closed when said shoes are in non-push position,the solenoid for lone valve means including a connection to the lrstswitch means for the other cylinder and vice versa, a second switchmeans for each of said cylinders, each said second switch means beingnormally closed and in direct connection 'with the solenoid /valve meansfor its respective cylinder, 1a lrst panel contacted switch between onesolenoid and its respective second switch Iand second panel contactedswitch lbetween the other solenoid and its respective second switch,whereby when said -iirst panel contacted switch is closed by a panelbearing against it a circuit is closed through a solenoid (provided the-rst switch means for the other cylinder is closed) to move therespective Ivalve means trom its normal position so as to move a saidshoe from its nonpush position to its push position wherein it willactnate its respective second switch to break the circuit through saidsolenoid and permit said valve means to return to normal and `cause saidshoe to return to nonap-ush position, whereupon turther closing ofeither panel contacted switch will result in a similaractuation of ashoe. l

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. A SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING HOGSHEADS WHICH COMPRISES: A FIRST FEEDINGSTATION, A FIRST STAPLING SECTION FOR STAPLING THE HOOPS ANDHOOPS-AND-LINERS TO THE HOGSHEAD PANELS, FIRST CONVEYOR MEANS TO MOVEPANELS FROM SAID FIRST FEEDING STATION THROUGH SAID FIRST STAPLINGSECTION, FIRST SAW MEANS TO FORM STAVES IN SAID PANELS, AND FIRSTADDITIONAL MEANS TO RECEIVE PANELS FROM SAID CONVEYOR MEANS AND CONVEYTHEM THROUGH SAID FIRST SAW MEANS; A SECOND FEEDING STATION, A SECONDSTAPLING SECTION FOR STAPLING HOOPS AND HOOPS-AND-LINERS TO OTHERHOGSHEAD PANELS, SECOND CONVEYOR MEANS TO MOVE SAID OTHER PANELS FROMSAID SECOND FEEDING STATION THROUGH SAID SECOND STAPLING SECTION, SECONDSAW MEANS TO FORM STAVES IN SAID OTHER PANELS, AND SECOND ADDITIONALMEANS TO RECEIVE SAID OTHER PANELS FROM SAID SECOND CONVEYOR MEANS ANDCONVEY THEM THROUGH SAID SECOND SAW MEANS; UPPER SUPPORT MEANS TORECEIVE PANELS FROM SAID FIRST SAW MEANS, LOWER SUPPORT MEANS TO RECEIVESAID OTHER PANELS FROM SAID SECOND SAW MEANS, SAID SUPPORT MEANS BEINGPOSITIONED ONE ABOVE THE OTHER, A RECEIVING STATION COMMON TO BOTHSUPPORT MEANS, AND MEANS TO PUSH THE PANELS FROM SAID SUPPORT MEANS ONEBY ONE ONTO SAID RECEIVING STATION; SAID PUSH MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OFELONGATED CYLINDERS, A PISTON ROD RECIPROCABLE IN EACH SAID CYLINDER,VALVE MEANS FOR EACH SAID CYLINDER WHEREBY TO DIRECT FLUID PRESSURE TOEITHER END THEREOF, A SHOE ON EACH SAID ROD, SAID UPPER AND LOWERSUPPORT MEANS HAVING DEPRESSED AREAS TO PERMIT SAID SHOES TO PASS OVERWHEREBY TO ENGAGE PANELS SUPPORTED ON THE UNDEPRESSED PORTIONS OF SAIDSUPPORT MEANS; AND A CONTROL CIRCUIT INCLUDING EACH OF SAID VALVE MEANSAND SO ARRANGED THAT THE VALVE MEANS CANNOT BE MANIPULATED TO CAUSESIMULTANEOUS PUSHING MOVEMENT OF SAID SHOES.